CENTURY I. 51 



is caused by the smoothness and closeness, which 

 letteth in no part of the vapour, and so turneth it 

 back, and thickeneth it into dew. We see also, that 

 breathing upon a glass, or smooth body, giveth a 

 dew ; and in frosty mornings, such as we call rime 

 frosts, you shall find drops of dew upon the inside 

 of glass windows ; and the frost itself upon the 

 ground is but a version or condensation of the moist 

 vapours of the night, into a watery substance : dews 

 likewise, and rain, are but the returns of moist 

 vapours condensed ; the dew, by the cold only of the 

 sun s departure, which is the gentler cold ; rains, by 

 the cold of that which they call the middle region of 

 the air ; which is the more violent cold. 



82. It is very probable, as hath been touched, 

 that that which will turn water into ice, will like 

 wise turn air some degree nearer unto water. 

 Therefore try the experiment of the artificial turn 

 ing water into ice, whereof we shall speak in 

 another place, with air in place of water, and the ice 

 about it. And although it be a greater alteration 

 to turn air into water, than water into ice ; yet there 

 is this hope, that by continuing the air longer time, 

 the effect will follow : for that artificial conversion 

 of water into ice, is the work of a few hours ; and 

 this of air may be tried by a month s space, or the 

 like. 

 Experiments in consort touching induration of bodies. 



Induration, or lapidification of substances more 

 soft, is likewise another degree of condensation ; and 

 is a great alteration in nature. The effecting and 





